Arena League player dies after tackle

Spinal injury probable cause of Avenger's death

Associated Press

Published 5:30 am, Monday, April 11, 2005

LOS ANGELES - Former NFL defensive lineman Al Lucas died Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury suffered while trying to make a tackle for the Los Angeles Avengers during an Arena Football League game, the team said.

Lucas was pronounced dead at California Hospital after all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Al Lucas. At this time, the thoughts and prayers of the entire Avengers organization are with his wife and family," team owner and chief executive officer Casey Wasserman said.

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Television replays showed Lucas bending down to make a tackle. As the Dragons' ball-carrier and a blocker tumbled over his head and back, the blocker's leg appeared to hit Lucas in the head. Lucas did not move after falling to the ground.

The game, won by L.A. 66-35, continued after he was taken from the field.

"There's nothing you can say about what happened," Avengers lineman Sean McNamara told the Los Angeles Daily News. "(Death) never entered our minds as a possibility. You think about his family and his daughter and hope they'll be all right."

The 6-1, 300-pound lineman played two seasons (2000-01) for the Carolina Panthers, recording 49 1/2 tackles in 20 games. He attended Division I-AA Troy State from 1996-99.

"When you've got a player lying on the ground the only thing that goes through your mind is that it could be any of us out there," fullback Lonnie Ford said.